Germany announces it will suspend some of its arms exports to Israel "for the time being"
It is an unprecedented decision in a German government. On the other hand, the Netherlands has revoked three licences for the export of parts of military vessels to Israel, and Norway has said that changes in Israeli investments will be announced next week.
GermanChancellor Friedrich Merz announced today that "for the time being" the export of "weapons that Israel can use in the Gaza Strip" will be suspended after Binyamin Netanyahu's government approved amilitary plan to occupy Gaza Cityon Thursday\ u00A0.
Merz has stated in a statement that this plan does not explain how Israel intends to disarm Hamas n, release Israeli captives, and start negotiations for a ceasefire quickly.
"At this juncture, the Federal Government will not allow exports of military material that can be used in the Gaza Strip," Merz stressed.
The Conservative chancellor has stated that Israel "hastheright to defend itself against Hamas's terrorism ", but has expressed" deep concern "about the suffering of the people of Gaza.
"With the planned offensive, the Israeli Government has more responsibility than it has so far for supplying civilians," Merz stressed, without explicitly condemning its plans to control a city with a million inhabitants.
He stressed that Israel must allow humanitarian aid and UN and non-governmental organizations to enter the Strip, as well as permanently improve the humanitarian situation "following the steps taken in recent days in the right direction".
Merz has also calledon theIsraeli Government "not to take any further steps towards annexing the West Bank."
Since coming to power in May this year, Merz has been under increasing pressure, both in Germany and abroad, to tighten his stance on Israel.
Netherlands
On the other hand, the Dutch Government has revoked three licences granted to Israel for the export of parts of military vessels because of the "risk of unwanted use of "and because of the" worsening situation "in Gaza. However, ten Palestinian and Dutch organisations have questioned the Government's ability to properly verify how and where weapons or their components will be used.
In response to questions from the public network NOS, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that since 7 October 2023 it has granted eight export licences for military material destined for the last destination in Israel. In addition to the three currently rejected licences, there are also permits granted for parts of the Israeli Iron Dome system.
In a letter sent to Parliament last week, the Dutch Government stated that it has rejected 11 requests for authorisations for the export of military material and dual-use goods since October 2023.
The Netherlands is already prohibited from exporting components of F-35 fighters directly to Israel by a court decision because they could be used in Gaza for human rights violations.
Norway
Moreover, the Norwegian sovereign investment fund will announce changes in Israeli investment next week, as announced today by Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, . The government announced on Tuesday that it will launch an urgent review of the fund's investments due to "ethical concerns." It has not specified what these measures might be, but has added that there would be no general divestment of all Israeli companies.
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